Cruz-Figueroa was one of three men arrested March 29 during a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office task force sting joined by television journalist Chris Hansen and his show “Takedown with Chris Hansen.”
The second episode of the fourth season, available for streaming on TruBlu, centers on Cruz-Figueroa, who drove to Vandalia to the house used for the task force sting dubbed “Operation Intercept.”
When he stepped inside the house and into the living room, he was handcuffed and interviewed by detectives, with the aid of an interpreter.
Credit: Montgomery County Jail
Credit: Montgomery County Jail
He later agreed to sit and talk on camera with Hansen. Through an interpreter Cruz-Figueroa, originally from Puerto Rico, told Hansen he was having troubles with his boyfriend and wanted to have some fun. He also said that he had never before tried to meet with an underage boy.
As part of his plea, a felony charge of possession of criminal tools will be dismissed.
Cruz-Figueroa could be sentenced to up to one year in prison plus probation of up to five years. He also will be labeled a Tier I sex offender, which will require him to register his address each year for 15 years, according to plea documents.
He remains free after posting $25,000 bond as he awaits sentencing.
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